3.03 page 2 Positive and Normative Resolutions

Lincoln Douglas debaters have to treat each resolution independently to determine its burdens and begin research and case construction. The resolution also serves as the focal point of the debate. At the end of the round, the judge will make his decision based on the debaters’ effectiveness at debating about the resolution. Analyzing the resolution is one of the most powerful tools that Lincoln Douglas debaters have to increase their chances of winning.

At the most basic level, a resolution is a sentence that declares something.

Resolutions tend to follow two general models of truth: positive and normative.